QoS metrics-in-the-loop for endowing runtime self-adaptation to robotic software architectures

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The design of robots capable of operating autonomously in changing and unstructured environments, requires using complex software architectures in which,...     

Development, application and comparison of an enzyme immunoassay and a high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of the aromatase inhibitor CGS 20,267 in biological fluids

CGS 20,267 is a new potent and selective, nonsteroidal, oral aromatase inhibitor. For its determination in human plasma and urine, an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and an HPLC method were developed. The EIA showed good precision and accuracy (intra- and interassay variation between 3.0 and 17.7%, recoveries between 81 and 106%) and a quantitation limit of 0.7 nmol/L. A strong cross reactivity of the antibodies with the hydroxy metabolite of CGS 20,267 (CGP 44,645) was observed. The HPLC method showed a quantitation limit in plasma of 28 and 34 nmol/L for CGS 20,267 and CGP 44,645, respectively. For urine, concentrations down to 180 nmol/L (CGS 20,267) and 210 nmol/L (CGP 44,645) could be measured. A cross check between EIA and HPLC on plasma samples from healthy male volunteers or breast cancer patients treated orally with CGS 20,267 revealed an excellent correlation (slope = 0.934, intercept = 26, r = 0.991). However, the EIA measurements of urine samples yielded 3-25 times higher concentrations than those obtained by HPLC. Further, HPLC analysis revealed the presence of CGS 20,267 and cross-reacting metabolites in urine but not in plasma. Therefore, the EIA can only be used for the determination of CGS 20,267 in plasma samples.     

RESERVOIR SANDSTONES OF THE CRETACEOUS NAPO FORMATION U AND T MEMBERS IN THE ORIENTE BASIN,ECUADOR: LINKS BETWEEN DIAGENESIS AND SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY

This paper investigates whether diagenetic alterations in sandstones and resulting changes in reservoir quality are influenced by depositional environments and sequence stratigraphy. The study focusses on the Cretaceous U and T sandstone members of the Napo Formation in the Oriente Basin of Ecuador. The sandstones were deposited in fluvial, transitional and marine environments, and comprise Lowstand (LST), Transgressive (TST) and Highstand Systems Tract (HST) deposits. The data were obtained by detailed petrographic observations supported by microprobe, stable isotope, and fluid inclusion analyses. The sandstones consist of fine- to medium-grained quartzarenites and subarkoses. Diagenetic events include cementation by chlorite, early and late kaolinite/dickite, early and late carbonates (siderite, Fe-dolomite/ankerite), and quartz. Early (eogenetic) processes included formation of chlorite grain coatings, kaolinite pore filling, and siderite (SI) cementation. Chlorite is absent in TST sandstones but was found frequently in LST-HST sandstones. Early kaolinite is not present in LST sandstones but occurred frequently in LST-HST sandstones. The distribution of mesogenetic cements relative to sequence stratigraphy is different in the U and T units. In the U sandstones, calcite is frequent in LST deposits and absent in the LST-HST. Fe-dolomite/ankerite is abundant only in the TST. S2 siderite is present in the TST and LST, but absent in the LST-HST. Quartz cement and kaolinite/dickite are equally distributed in all systems tracts. In the T sandstones Fe-dolomite/ankerite is only abundant in the TST, whilst calcite, quartz and dickite have similar distributions in all the systems tracts. The distribution of kaolinite cement is interpreted to be the result of relatively more intense meteoric-water flux occurring during sea-level fall, whereas chlorite cement may have formed through burial diagenetic transformation of precursor clays e.g. berthierine which was precipitated in mixed marine-meteoric waters in tidal channel and estuarine environments. Chlorite cement in the T and U sandstones appears to have retarded development of quartz overgrowths, and 12–13% primary porosity is retained. The T sandstones (LST-HST) contain up to 4% chlorite cement. Little evidence for chemical compaction was found with the exception of occasional concave-convex grain contacts. Eogenetic siderite appears to have helped to preserve reservoir quality through supporting the sandstone framework against further compaction, but mesogenetic calcite has considerably reduced primary porosity. Eogenetic siderite (SI) was partly replaced by later carbonate cements such as late siderite (S2) and Fe-dolomite. Although there appears to be a relationship in the Napo Formation between the occurrence of siderite SI and sequence stratigraphy, the relationship may change when original volumes of siderite are considered. There is likewise partial replacement of early kaolinite and recrystalization to dickite which masks the amount of original early kaolinite. Since the amount of early kaolinite could not be confirmed, the relationship to sequence stratigraphy is tentative. Only chlorite seems to have a clear relationship to sequence stratigraphic framework in the Napo Formation. The high intergranular volume (IGV) of the sandstones indicates that cementation played a more important role than mechanical and chemical compaction in both Napo Formation sandstone members. Later dissolution of feldspar grains and siderite cements was the main process of secondary porosity development (up to 11% in the U sandstones).     

Determination of polyphenols,tocopherols, and antioxidant capacity in virgin argan oil (Argania spinosa,Skeels)

This study establishes data on polyphenols, tocopherols, and antioxidant capacity (AC) of virgin argan oil. A total of 22 samples from Morocco were analyzed. Total polyphenol content ranged between 6.07 and 152.04 mg GAE/kg. Total tocopherols varied between 427.0 and 654.0 mg/kg, being γ‐tocopherol the major fraction (84.68%); α‐, β‐, and δ‐tocopherols represent 7.75, 0.33, and 7.29%, respectively. No influence of oil extraction method on total tocopherols was observed. The AC of argan virgin oils determined by the ABTS method in n‐hexane oils dilution ranged between 14.16 and 28.02 mmol Trolox/kg, and by the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods in methanolic oil extracts between 2.31–14.15, 0.19–0.87, and 0.62–2.32 mmol Trolox/kg, respectively. A high correlation was found between ABTS and DPPH methods applied to a methanolic oil extract. Virgin argan oil presents a higher polyphenol and tocopherol content, and total AC than other edible vegetable oils.     

Ascorbic acid degradation kinetics in tomatoes at different drying conditions

High temperatures and long drying times used in hot air drying can negatively affect the nutritional quality of the final product. It is generally observed that, if ascorbic acid is well retained, other components are also well retained. Hence, ascorbic acid can be taken as an index of nutrient quality of foods. The interest in dried tomato has increased since its use as ingredients for pizza and various vegetable and spicy dishes has became popular. Tomatoes are usually dried in slices or halves, after seeds and parenchyma removal with a resulting large amount of wastes and an important nutrient loss. The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of drying temperatures on ascorbic acid degradation kinetics in caustic-peeled whole tomatoes (with or without osmotic pre-treatment) and in halved and drained tomatoes. The degradation rates were dependent on samples treatment before drying, as well as on drying temperature. Lower degradation rates were observed in osmotically pre-treated whole tomatoes, whereas higher degradation rates occurred in halved tomatoes. Increasing drying temperature led to higher degradation rates.     

Zeolite crystallization in portland cement concrete due to alkali-aggregate reaction

Concrete used in works and altered by alkali-aggregate reaction was studied in order to identify the reaction products. For this purpose, the methods of petrographic microscopy, XRD and SEM were employed.

The crystalline forms observed by SEM were later determined through the petrographic microscope, as being zeolites on the basis of their optical properties and confirmed by XRD. In order to obtain a minimum amount (10 mg) of the reaction product, many thin sections were prepared. The product was isolated under the microscope for XRD analysis, through which it was identified as being a zeolite (heulandite-clinoptilolite group).

With the aim of determining the minimum limits capable of being registered by XRD, tests with the addition of 1, 5 and 10 % of a similar natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) were also performed on a concrete sample, showing that 5 % is about the minimum.